Woman steals ambulance, leads police on chase

Published: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 6:19 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 at 6:19 p.m.

A woman being treated at Pardee Hospital swiped an ambulance from the parking lot shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, Hendersonville police said, leading officers on a chase that led her to jail.

Police say an intoxicated Stephanie Erwin, 31, of Howard Gap Loop Road, left the hospital, snatched an EMS responder’s jacket and then absconded with the ambulance at 12:59 a.m.

Hendersonville Police Capt. Bruce Simonds said two HPD officers were on a call inside the hospital when an emergency responder rushed in to tell them someone had stolen the ambulance. A be-on-the-lookout was issued for the vehicle, which was spotted minutes later by Lt. Mike Vesely at the intersection of Dana Road and Four Seasons Boulevard.

During the chase, Simonds said they coordinated with members of the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office to deploy stop-sticks, a tool with Teflon-coated quills engineered to deflate tires within 20 to 30 seconds. The sticks were placed near the intersection of Butler Bridge Road and Asheville Highway.

Erwin refused to exit the vehicle, but was “extricated” anyway, Simonds said.

The ambulance sat at the Henderson County Rescue Squad Tuesday with a flat tire and broken window.

“This happened the best way it could. It happened late at night with little traffic,” Simonds said. “The pursuit ended rather quickly and nobody got injured.”

Erwin has been charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny, damage to property, DWI and felony fleeing to elude. She is being held at the Henderson County Detention Center in lieu of $26,000 bond.

<p>A woman being treated at Pardee Hospital swiped an ambulance from the parking lot shortly before 1 a.m. Monday, Hendersonville police said, leading officers on a chase that led her to jail.</p><p>Police say an intoxicated Stephanie Erwin, 31, of Howard Gap Loop Road, left the hospital, snatched an EMS responder's jacket and then absconded with the ambulance at 12:59 a.m.</p><p>Hendersonville Police Capt. Bruce Simonds said two HPD officers were on a call inside the hospital when an emergency responder rushed in to tell them someone had stolen the ambulance. A be-on-the-lookout was issued for the vehicle, which was spotted minutes later by Lt. Mike Vesely at the intersection of Dana Road and Four Seasons Boulevard. </p><p>“She refuses to stop and it turns into a pursuit,” Simonds said.</p><p>Police chased Erwin up Duncan Hill Road to Signal Hill Road, onto Berkeley Road and down Asheville Highway with speeds ranging from 45 to 70 mph.</p><p>During the chase, Simonds said they coordinated with members of the Henderson County Sheriff's Office to deploy stop-sticks, a tool with Teflon-coated quills engineered to deflate tires within 20 to 30 seconds. The sticks were placed near the intersection of Butler Bridge Road and Asheville Highway.</p><p>“She stops immediately,” Simonds said, “and the vehicle lurches forward,” sending an officer diving for cover.</p><p>Erwin refused to exit the vehicle, but was “extricated” anyway, Simonds said.</p><p>The ambulance sat at the Henderson County Rescue Squad Tuesday with a flat tire and broken window.</p><p>“This happened the best way it could. It happened late at night with little traffic,” Simonds said. “The pursuit ended rather quickly and nobody got injured.”</p><p>Erwin has been charged with felony larceny of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor larceny, damage to property, DWI and felony fleeing to elude. She is being held at the Henderson County Detention Center in lieu of $26,000 bond.</p><p>Reach Weaver at emily.weaver@blueridgenow.com or 828-694-7867.</p>